Tenth (interval)

Minor tenth
Name
Other names	Compound minor third
Abbreviation	m10
Size
Semitones	15
Interval class	3
Cents
Equal temperament	1500

Major tenth
Name
Other names	Compound major third
Abbreviation	M10
Size
Semitones	16
Interval class	4
Cents
Equal temperament	1600

In music theory, a tenth (or compound third^[1]) is a musical interval encompassing ten scale degrees.^[2] It is a compound interval,^[3] composed of an octave plus a third.^[4] Like a third, a tenth is typically major or minor but can also have other chord qualities, like being augmented or diminished.

Major tenth

A major tenth is a compound interval spanning 16 semitones, or 4 semitones above an octave. For example, the interval between C₄ and E₅ (in scientific pitch notation) is a major tenth.

${ \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { \time 4/4 \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 1 = 20 <c e'>1 } }$

Minor tenth

A minor tenth is a compound interval spanning 15 semitones, or 3 semitones above an octave. For example, the interval between C₄ and E♭₅ is a minor tenth.

${ \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { \time 4/4 \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 1 = 20 <c es'>1 } }$

References

↑ Apel, Willi (1950). The Harvard Dictionary of Music (Sixth Printing ed.). p. 359.
↑ Elson, Louis Charles. Elson's Music Dictionary. Boston: Oliver Ditson, 1905. 82.
↑ Laitz, Steven G. (2008). The Complete Musician (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 71–72. ISBN 978-0-19-530108-3.
↑ Hamm, Chelsey; Hughes, Bryn (2026-02-01). "Intervals". VIVA.

[1] Apel, Willi (1950). The Harvard Dictionary of Music (Sixth Printing ed.). p. 359.

[2] Elson, Louis Charles. Elson's Music Dictionary. Boston: Oliver Ditson, 1905. 82.

[3] Laitz, Steven G. (2008). The Complete Musician (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 71–72. ISBN 978-0-19-530108-3.

[4] Hamm, Chelsey; Hughes, Bryn (2026-02-01). "Intervals". VIVA.

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Major tenth

Minor tenth

References